The title of this post might leave you a little puzzled....hang on a minute and I'll explain. I've learned two things related to these topics this week and I wanted to alliterate the title so thats how it came about. :-)
Six Flags. On Tuesday of this week, I learned that I am getting old. After spending the day riding in a van and running around an amusement park with a group of mostly seventh and eighth graders I realized that, at last, the aging process has begun! The first hint at aging came in the surprised look on the face of one of the seventh graders when she found out that I had graduated from high school in 2004. However, I am not about to let a little thing like my age ruin a good time...we spent the day riding every roller coaster possible, looking for change on the ground, daring to ride the "Big Kahuna" water slide, and in general, having a great time. I only feared for my life once. ;-)
The second clue to my aging was my utter exhaustion at the end of the day. While the kids bounced around the van on a sugar high after supper...I was ready for bed. So ended my day at Six Flags.
Suffering. Believe it or not, the suffering is not related to my trip with the Youth Group. I just finished reading the book Jesus Freaks: Martyrs by DC Talk. Basically, its a modernized Foxe's Book of Martyrs, including stories of Christian persecution from ancient history up until modern times. This was a challenging book to read, simply because it made me realize that I have suffered nothing for my faith in comparision with what countless others have been willing to suffer for Jesus Christ. The horrors some people have faced in order to pass from this life to eternity are nearly unbearable...yet their firm faith brought them through even the worst torture and enabled them to claim Christ until the very end. I pray that my faith would be that strong. One particular quote brought tears to my eyes,
"My dear Jesus, my Savior, is so deeply written in my heart, that I feel confident, that if my heart were to be cut open and chopped to pieces, the name of Jesus would be found written on every piece."
-- Ignatius (a student of the Apostle John, devoured by wild animals in Rome, 111 AD)
If you are interested in being informed about or praying for current Christian persecution, check out this web site...
www.persecution.com
Thursday, June 11, 2009
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My dear Heidi-
ReplyDeleteYou are indeed getting very old. Ancient, even. But do not fear. I will visit with you in the rest home.
Also, I am very fond of that book. It was such a challenge to me and not a book that can be read lightly in any way. It seems that you have quite a pile of reading right now!
Love you!
Of all the fun to be had at an amusement park, why would you look for change on the ground? ;)
ReplyDeleteCan I borrow that book from you soon? I'm almost done with Safely Home and have been so challenged with the commitment and passion of the persecuted church.
Love you!
Heid! Thank you so much for the text...it brightened my day. :) I'm glad to hear you are doing well, and excited to keep up on your life through this blog. Have a super weekend!
ReplyDelete~Liz